1
as in sketch
a picture using lines to represent the chief features of an object or scene
his simple but striking delineations of Dutch landscapes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in description
a vivid representation in words of someone or something
a finely wrought delineation of a young couple's first experience with love and loss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of delineation
In 2022, an agreement was struck between Lebanon and Israel to finalize the delineation of our maritime borders.
—
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Specifically focusing on using built-ins to help create delineation between spaces can add both form and function to open floor plans.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
But making that delineation in practice has proved complicated and contested.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
My administration will ensure that all departmental policies reflect this delineation by emphasizing the highest standards of professionalism in all interactions and by rigorously respecting principles of due process and human rights.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for delineation
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Specifically focusing on using built-ins to help create delineation between spaces can add both form and function to open floor plans.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
But making that delineation in practice has proved complicated and contested.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
My administration will ensure that all departmental policies reflect this delineation by emphasizing the highest standards of professionalism in all interactions and by rigorously respecting principles of due process and human rights.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for delineation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delineation
Noun
-
The manuscript was discovered earlier that year, along with a cover sketch and even notes on the overall direction for the illustrations.—
Sari Hitchins,
Parents,
2 June 2026
-
The artist painted the mural singlehandedly, by hand, says the complaint, over many weeks, without preparatory sketches.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
That description, however, didn’t tell the entire story.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
31 May 2026
-
Detectives followed up and obtained surveillance footage of individuals who matched the description of the suspects and their cars near the crime scene, police said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Displays show campaign ephemera and memorabilia, from Shepard Fairey’s iconic HOPE poster to children’s drawings.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
The Supreme Court in that case found that Louisiana’s drawing of its own congressional maps was a racial gerrymander in its creation of a second majority-Black district.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
If there was a pop culture gallery of villainy, the portrait of Regina George would occupy a prominent place.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Five rare portraits of Marilyn Monroe from 1949, captured before her name change and signature platinum look, are being auctioned to mark her centennial.—
Katie Simons,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Nilsson’s depiction of bodies past their prime conjures not the pitiless naturalism of Joan Semmel or Alice Neel, but something friskier, more delighted.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
There’s so much that has been occluded by the broad-brush depiction of the eighties as the awful age of Reagan, yuppies, shoulder pads, mullets, and synth-drums.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Many of the characters’ original voices, such as Peter Cullen’s portrayal of Optimus Prime or Frank Welker’s of Megatron, have remained, while voice actors were cast for characters without voices, such as those from Clue.—
Corbin Bolies,
Variety,
3 June 2026
-
The scene was genuinely awful to watch, but the movie—a story of plague, passion, period costumes, and an unwashed man in a tunic skipping town to cure writer’s block—ended up thrilling us; the portrayal of two creative minds working together (and apart) was, oddly, familiar.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Internet analysis firm Kentik said internet traffic, which measures the amount of data transferred and is a good illustration of usage, was at around 40%.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
-
Paired with his illustrations, Macauley’s book details the creation of a 16th century Turkish mosque, along with its societal functions and significance.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Eastern Ukraine — There is a whirr, a flurry of dust, a pause as the grainy image recalibrates, and then a devastating blast.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
This new image uses data from the Sentinel-3 mission to show in vibrant color just how extreme and far-reaching this heat has been.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Delineation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delineation. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
